Washington Talk: Briefing; Pity the Mugger

By PETER T. KILBORN & MARTIN TOLCHIN

Published: June 8, 1988

Jack Hood Vaughn, a 67-year-old former director of the Peace Corps who was also United States Ambassador to Panama and Colombia, recently left his hotel in midtown Manhattan after midnight to get a newspaper. As the slightly built, gray-haired man was returning, he was accosted by a mugger.

''This fellow came up behind me, put his arm around my waist, pinned my right arm to my side, and tried to remove my wallet,'' Mr. Vaughn recalled. ''I hit him in the throat with my elbow. Then I kneed him in the groin and hit him in the jaw about five times. He was jackknifed on his face on the sidewalk as I walked away.''

The mugger did not know that, as Johnny Hood, his intended victim had been a professional prizefighter.

''I have an unbelievable left hook,'' Mr. Vaughn said. Although he no longer works out, he said, ''Sometimes I shadow box, pretending I'm hitting certain politicians.''